Centre for Excellence in Indigenous Tobacco Control
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The Centre for Excellence in Indigenous Tobacco Control (CEITC), based within the Onemda VicHealth Koori Health Unit at the University of Melbourne, was established in September 2003. The CEITC has been funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing, initially for 3 years and then refunded further 3 years up until March 2010. The CEITC seeks to improve health outcomes related to tobacco consumption by building national capacity for effective Indigenous tobacco control programs. Australia is considered to be a leader among developed nations around the world in the area of tobacco control. However, smoking prevalence amongst Indigenous Australians is more than double the rate of the general population adding to the communities overall burden of disease. Well-coordinated and sustained tobacco control programs are likely to result in long-term health gains, including a decrease in mortality rates from cardiovascular disease, and subsequent increases in life expectancy.
The Centre for Excellence in Indigenous Tobacco Control seeks to improve the tobacco consumption related health outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The CEITC’s goal is to help reduce the health, social and financial burden of tobacco use on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities by building a national capacity for effective Indigenous tobacco control programs. It also acts as an Indigenous voice on many tobacco related steering committees; some of which are: the National Smoking and Pregnancy Advisory Group, the 2007 Oceanic Tobacco Control Conference Committee and the NSW SmokeCheck Aboriginal Health Worker Training Committee. |
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Over the previous 3 years and going into the next 3, CEITC has implemented a number of tobacco control programs, including:
- Resource Development Program
- Indigenous Tobacco Control Website and Community of Practice
- National Indigenous Tobacco Control Research Network
Talkin’ Up Good Air: Australian Indigenous Tobacco Control Resource Kit
CEITC has published a national Indigenous tobacco control health promotion resource kit called Talkin’ Up Good Air. The kit has been developed for use by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community to:
- Assist health professionals, along with community and education workers, to become community leaders in the area of tobacco control.
- Raise the priority of tobacco control in Indigenous communities.
- Build community ownership in tobacco control by supporting community-initiated and controlled action.
The kit draws on the knowledge of many individuals and organisations working in the area of tobacco control, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, community health and health promotion. It is a resource of helpful information, ideas, activities, success stories, and reference materials.
CEITC is currently developing a training package in the use of the kit.
An electronic version of the kit can be downloaded at http://www.ceitc.org.au/resource_development_program
Aboriginal Health Worker Training Resources Project
This project involves the development of a series of tobacco control training resource materials that correspond with the units of competency contained within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker National competency standards and qualifications. CEITC has surveyed Health worker training program providers regarding current teaching and needs in Indigenous Tobacco control to identify current practices and needs Aboriginal Health Worker Training providers.
Indigenous Tobacco Control Website and Community of Practice
CEITC has established and is continually evolving a website which will be an important resource for Indigenous tobacco control. Part of its function has been to establish a Community of Practice which is a communication network for health workers, researchers and Government Orgs.
Our website is the main contact point for our Indigenous Tobacco Control Interest Groups. If you would like to be involved with other people involved in Indigenous tobacco control please visit our website and subscribe to our membership at www.ceitc.org.au
National Indigenous Tobacco Control Research Network
A National Indigenous Tobacco Control Research Network has been formed by CEITC and its first meeting held in Melbourne on 26 and 27 April 2007. The meeting, which brought together over 30 researchers and community people, worked together to define and address critical gaps in Indigenous tobacco control research. A report is currently being prepared and should be available through our website shortly.
Future Directions:
CEITC is soon to appoint a Research Officer who will oversee CEITC research agenda through the new funding period.
Click on the link to visit the CEITC website